Maritime union RMT has welcomed what it described as an overwhelming vote for strike action by Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) seafarers, warning that management could not demonstrate it was complying with minimum wage legislation.
In a statement issued on 17 February, the union said its members employed by the RFA had rejected the latest pay offer by a margin of nine to one. RMT claimed that seafarers can routinely work up to 12 hours a day, but that there remains no clear or transparent formula explaining how pay is calculated against those working hours.
RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said the situation had become unacceptable, arguing that management could not even properly determine its own pay rates.
“Years of real terms falling behind in pay have left RFA seafarers worse off, and management still cannot show if all of our members are even being paid at least the minimum wage for the hours they are required to work,” he said.
Dempsey added: “The absence of a transparent system for calculating pay, combined with excessive working hours, has created an unsustainable situation.”
He said the dispute was contributing to what he described as a “deepening crisis” in the organisation, adding: “RFA members are proud seafarers and this latest slap in the face will only add to a deepening crisis, it is time for the RFA and the Ministry of Defence to get around the table with this union.”
Can’t say I blame them. The whole issue, for such a small number of people who potentuially put their lives on the line, is ridiculous. If they were train drivers they would be on £60/70,000 a year.
OK, I can’t believe there Is no way of showing how the pay Is calculated against the hours worked.
WTF are they using a bloody ABACUS ?
OK, everybody out.